Checks Take DC!

A Mini-Family Work/Vacation

A few weekends ago Mike had to take a trip to MN so that he could look at an icebreaking CG ship that was having a few problems. These problems have been on-going and have recently been given to Mike to head the effort to fix them. So off he went knowing that a trip to DC to brief the very high ups in the CG about it would be in the very near future. We were very excited since we could take the opportunity to go with him for a mini-city vacation.

We arrived Tuesday evening at our very swanky hotel with valet parking, a Manager's Happy Hour and double room suite. We headed out into the city to President's Park to walk the Pathway of Peace. We are not city people and this walk across the city gave us crash course in conquering it. It was a lot of fun and the girls did superb!

The National Christmas Tree (which we expected more from), the trains that surrounded it, the White House at night and Lily in front of the Virginia Christmas Tree.

Wednesday, Mike was off early to his 10am meeting at the CG headquarters which by the way he did great. So proud of him! He was even asked when he was going to transfer up to the HQ!

While he was at the meeting the girls and I walked through the city to the Museum of Natural History to see dinosaurs!!! The girls were awesome and we stayed for about two and a half hours, had lunch and took our time looking at everything.

We were very excited that by the time we wanted to leave after lunch that Daddy was on his way back to the hotel! Which meant that I didn't have to try to have both girls in this small umbrella stroller and walk back through the spitting rain 10 blocks back to the hotel. Yay for roadside pick-up!

Wednesday night, after nice naps from both girls, we headed to Chinatown for dinner and found a family favorite, Ruby Tuesday. So happy to find somewhere that all of us could find something to eat and Lily especially loved every bite of her ice cream sundae! After dinner, we met Uncle Mark, jumped on the metro and headed to Zoo Lights. We saw a few animals but really enjoyed the walk in the lit up zoo and catching up with Uncle Mark. Lily and Uncle Mark were inseparable and took every opportunity to give him hugs and kisses. Great seeing you Mark!!

Thursday morning after breakfast and packing up the car we were out walking again. We headed to the metro for another "train ride" to the Mall. We walked past the Washington Monument which is currently closed due to earthquake damage but impressive nonetheless. Lily loved the American flags and the map the park rangers gave her!

We then walked all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. Lily knows about the Lincoln Memorial from this book and our endless discussions about our country and the flag. The look on her face when she first saw the statue was priceless and even if she doesn't truly understand the meaning of it, the enormity of it is impressive enough. We can't wait to go back again!

Lily insisted on going down the steps instead of taking the elevator, which I'm glad she did! The views along our way were so awesome and lucky that we can enjoy these and live so close to them!

Some extra shots that I love. On our way back from the Memorial Lily rode in the stroller and Mike carried Emma. She's little but still heavy so she rode on his shoulders for part of the way. On our walk we past the White House which is the distance but in person, it's as clear as day. Lily looked pretty wiped out when we were waiting for the metro one last time and Emma looked pretty tired too. And, had to capture what we looked like as we walked through the city, and LOVE the handle on the side of our stroller. It is indeed Lily's handle.

We had a wonderful time and love DC.

Now Christmas can BEGIN!!!